The Water-fowl of the Pacific Coast 555 



Not merely thousands but hundreds of thousands 

 dotted the great plains, often looking in the dis- 

 tance like bands of sheep. 



But as far back as 1875 this wild rover of the 

 blue knew all about guns. Once in a great while 

 a flock might neglect to consider a gully in the 

 plain or a belt of reeds near some lake, so that 

 one could sneak within rifle-shot. But I never 

 yet succeeded in crawling within sure shot-gun 

 range, though there is, of course, ground on which 

 it may be done. But even a sure shot with the 

 rifle was rare, no matter how plenty the birds ; 

 and though the plain might ring for many a mile 

 with their reverberating notes, one shot was quite 

 sure to clear the whole stage for a mile or more 

 and send the actors to rest in long, curling lines 

 far in the dome of heaven. 



There are certain lines on which the cranes 

 often swing low along the plain in making short 

 changes of feeding-ground or in going to water, 

 and the surprise of the sportsman is rarely greater 

 than when he attempts a bag by hiding along this 

 line in some bush or gully. Just as that wild cry 

 rolls thrillingly near, and you move the gun a 

 trifle to get it ready or twist your eye a bit to see 

 how close they are, there is a sudden sheering off 

 in the line, and the bodies that seemed so large 

 that their momentum must carry them within 

 shot are far out of reach on wings nimble enough 



